Canvas Projects

[gitchisum]

After recovering from the quote to replce the canvas on the boat, I decided to give it a go on my own. Ordered supplies from Sailrite and have a commerical walking foot machine. Starting with a windshield cover to see how I perform!
Measured and made templates and cut the pieces this weekend. Pics below. Going to try getting some sewing done later this week.

paterns.JPG (114.55 KiB) Viewed 5196 times

Cuts.JPG (111.34 KiB) Viewed 5196 times

[Barrie]

Good luck! and remember what they say, measure twice, cut once
I recovered some seats on a previous boat with marine vinyl, and the toughest parts were always the corners
The windshield covers seem like a good project to learn from.

[prowlersfish]

Good luck hope it tuns out well . What materals are you using ? I know having it done is not cheap (just had new "glass" done myself ) Hopefully you'll save some money

[WayWeGo]

We have been doing our own canvas repairs for a few years. My wife has an expensive sewing machine that does not have a walking foot, but so far, it has worked well. This year, we have to sew through a vinyl window which should be a good test.

We do have a commercial sewing machine, but lent it to my sister in law, and it needs to be looked at before using it. It is WAY too big and heavy to use on a boat, but would make a great shop unit.

Good luck with your project and keep us informed, OK?

[gitchisum]

Hopefully it goes well. Either way I will keep posting my experience.

Prowlerfish- Using my existing 4-bow frame and wil replace with Sunbrella 8400. If I get as far as doing the full enclosure, I will use Strataglas 040 in clear.

WayWeGo - Mother in law has a Necchi that is portable and has a walking foot. I did some tests with it and I can do 8 fabric layers and 2 glass layers with good results.

The how to videos on Sailrite have been very useful so far. I certainly don't expect to produce the same results as a professional, but if it all goes as planned, it will only cost me 25% of what my estimate was. Even if I had to go buy a sewing machine, it would still save me over 50%.

[WayWeGo]

Gitchisum, my wife's good machine is a Bernina, and I am hoping it will be fine sewing through a few layers of fabric and one isinglass. She also has some old singer portables and I am going to see if one of them will work for light canvas work. If it does, we might take it on the boat when we do some extended cruising in a few years. Our commercial unit is a Singer with a large separate motor -- that machine is a tank!

Sailrite has been a great resource for us. Not only the videos, but some of the materials we have bought have been cheapest there. If I get info from somebody, I will support them as long as they are not too much more expensive than their competition. I have found Sailrite pricing to be OK, especially considering all the info they provide for free.

[P-Dogg]

Sailrite has been a great resource for us

Me too. Just received an order today. My project might even show-up in a new thread.... (I crack myself up!).

[gitchisum]

Finished the cover with enough success that I will try to tackle another project. Also learned enough to know that the canvas pro's are worth what they charge.

Pic is the inside, ready to put snaps on

ws cover snip.JPG (108.53 KiB) Viewed 5024 times

[AndyF32]

Wow looks great! Can't wait to see your work on the enclosure.
Please post pictures.